On 27 June 1963, Kennedy’s first full day in Ireland on his
state visit, he boarded a helicopter to fly to New Ross. Four jet-propelled
helicopters had been brought in from US military bases in Europe for the
Kennedy visit, as well as six smaller ones.
 |
| Crowds swamping the Kennedy helicopter in Dunganstown 27 June 1963 |
After New Ross, Kennedy and his two sisters were taken to
Dunganstown to visit his Ryan relatives at the Kennedy homestead. Kennedy had
visited the house before when he was in Ireland previously, but he was bringing
a much bigger entourage with him this time. The photos of him having tea with
his aunt, Mary, were beamed around the world. As well as Mary, Kennedy and his
sisters met their cousins Mary-Anne and Josephine, as well as other members of
the extended family.
 |
| Mary Ryan greeting her American cousins 27 June 1963 |
There were several presents waiting for the Kennedys at
Dunganstown: Belleck china for Jackie, a handkerchief for Caroline and a toy
boat for John. There was also a blackthorn walking stick for Jack that had been
cut from the bushes on Kennedy land.
A cake had been prepared for the tea-party with a likeness
of Kennedy in the icing. Kennedy told the crowd: “We want to drink a cup of tea
to all the Kennedys who went and all the Kennedys who stayed.”
If you’d like to find out more details about the Kennedy
visit, or see more images from his time in Wexford, why not check out our digital
book, President John F. Kennedy Visits Ireland in 1963. It is available from
the iTunes Store for €9.99, or can be gifted to somebody else you may know with
an interest in the Kennedy family.
No comments:
Post a Comment